Morcha to hold public meeting in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Kurseong, Mirik and Sukna for Gorkhaland

The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha has decided to hold a series of public
meetings across the hills from November as a prelude to its statehood
agitation and hold a programme in New Delhi during the winter session of
Parliament.

At a meeting of the Morcha's central committee, frontal organisations
and various other wings at Malidura, 7km from here, the party also
decided to include leaders from the Dooars and Terai in top positions to
make the outfit more inclusive.

Roshan Giri, the general secretary of the Morcha, said: "At today's
meeting, it was decided that we would hold a series of public meetings
in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Kurseong, Mirik and Sukna to tell the people
about the need to start a renewed agitation for statehood... the state
government is dividing the hill communities to weaken our statehood
demand. We need to be united in this agitation."

The party will hold public meetings in Mirik on November 6, Kalimpong
on November 13, Kurseong on November 20, Darjeeling on November 27 and
Sukna on December 4.

"The winter session of the Parliament is also starting on November
16. All elected GTA Sabha members, councillors of municipalities, and
members of the Nari Morcha, Yuva Morcha, Vidyarthi Morcha and
representatives of other frontal organisations will also organise a
programme in Delhi from December 9 to 16," said Giri.

He, however, refused to divulge the details of the Delhi programme.

Sources in the Morcha said the party had decided to start a fresh Gorkhaland movement.

Giri, however, said: "The agitation will be democratic in nature."

Binay Tamang, the assistant general secretary of the Morcha, said:
"Since this agitation will be decisive, we do not think we will provide
relaxation as was the case in the last phase of agitation."

During the last phase of agitation, tea gardens were given the
exemption. At times, the Morcha's agitation would only be targeted on
state and central government offices.

Asked about Bimal Gurung's decision to quit the GTA, Giri said: "A
lot of announcements can be expected during the public meetings."(TT)

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The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha has decided to hold a series of public meetings across the hills from November as a prelude to its statehood agitation and hold a programme in New Delhi during the winter session of Parliament.